The 15th All India Whips Conference is in progress in Chandigarh. Inaugrating the 2-day conference yesterday, the Punjab Governor Shivraj V Patil that in the Parliamentary form of Government, whips of various political parties are the vital links of the internal organisation of parties, inside the legislatures.<br/><br/>He said that the efficient and smooth functioning of Parliament and State Legislatures depends upon the directions a whip issues to legislatures. Mr Patil, who is also a former Speaker of the Lok Sabha opined that the whips act as counselors to their members and advisors to the party leadership. The Conference is being presided over by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pawan Kumar Bansal.<br/><br/>